inhibition
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inhibition
An inner psychological block, shyness, or insecurity that prevents a person from acting or speaking freely and naturally.
Er überwand seine Hemmungen und sprach die fremde Person an.
He overcame his inhibitions and spoke to the stranger.
The noun 'die Hemmung' (inhibition) is derived from the verb 'hemmen', which means 'to slow down', 'to block', or 'to hinder'. This connection helps you understand both meanings of the noun.
Ein neues Gesetz soll die übermäßige Bebauung der Küste hemmen.
A new law is intended to slow the excessive development of the coast.
In a psychological context, the plural 'Hemmungen' (inhibitions) is often used. Typical phrases are 'Hemmungen haben' (to have inhibitions), 'seine Hemmungen überwinden' (to overcome one's inhibitions), and 'Hemmungen abbauen' (to reduce inhibitions).
Viele Leute haben anfangs Hemmungen, in einer fremden Sprache zu sprechen.
Many people initially have inhibitions about speaking in a foreign language.
The psychological sense of 'Hemmung' (inhibition) is often expressed with an infinitive construction using 'zu'. The pattern is: 'Hemmungen haben, etwas zu tun' (to have inhibitions about doing something).
Er hatte große Hemmungen, vor vielen Menschen eine Rede zu halten.
He had strong inhibitions about giving a speech in front of many people.
You can recognize the technical or biological meaning from the context. It is used in scientific, medical, or technical texts, often together with words like 'Wachstum' (growth), 'Prozess' (process), or 'Enzym' (enzyme).
Die Forschung untersucht die Hemmung von Entzündungsprozessen im Körper.
The research investigates the inhibition of inflammatory processes in the body.
impulse / momentum
'der Impuls' and 'die Hemmung' are clear opposites when it comes to acting. An impulse suddenly pushes someone to do or say something. An inhibition is more likely to hold someone back, often because of uncertainty, shyness, or fear. When someone starts doing something spontaneously, an impulse is at work. When someone does not dare to do something, you speak of an inhibition. In this way, 'Impuls' describes more of a movement forward, while 'Hemmung' is more like an inner brake.
Hast du noch Hemmungen, vor den neuen Nachbarn zu sprechen?
Do you still have inhibitions about speaking in front of the new neighbors?
Aus einem Impuls heraus riefen wir unsere alte Freundin an.
On impulse, we called our old friend.